Opening night of boat parade delights thousands

Dec. 19, 2013

Updated 4:48 p.m.

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More than 60 boats participate in the 105th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach. The official theme for this year parade is "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." ROSE PALMISANO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 6

More than 60 boats participate in the 105th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach. The official theme for this year parade is "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." ROSE PALMISANO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 6

More than 60 boats participate in the 105th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach. The official theme for this year parade is "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." ROSE PALMISANO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 6

Hundreds of people attended the 105th Annual Newport Beach Boat Parade in Newport Beach. More than 50 boats participated. Fireworks were also part of the festivities. ROSE PALMISANO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 6

More than 60 boats participate in the 105th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach. The official theme for this year parade is "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." Fireworks were also part of the festivities. ROSE PALMISANO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 6

More than 60 boats participate in the 105th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach. This year's theme is "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." ROSE PALMISANO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

More than 60 boats participate in the 105th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach. The official theme for this year parade is "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree."ROSE PALMISANO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

The Newport Harbor was aglow Wednesday night as nearly 100 boats glided along the water, each trying to outdo the last with live music, Christmas trees, and elaborate light displays during opening night of the 105th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.

Thousands of spectators watched from the shore as a giant inflatable snowman, the lead boat, led the charge with various members of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce riding aboard.

Steve Rosansky, president of the chamber, said that this year might be one of the best yet.

“It’s like we say, it’s our postcard to the world,” Rosansky said. “What could be better?”

While owners who decorate their boats spread Christmas cheer, the parade is also a competition. Rosansky said that the bigger boats, like the one manned by Sasco Electric, donning sea creatures in bright neon colors with lights hanging off the edge for jelly fish tentacles and a fire breathing sea dragon, typically take home the top prizes. But this year a non-commercial category has been added to give the smaller boats, often with smaller budget for lights and decorations, more of a fighting chance.

“Sometimes it’s neat just to see what you can do with an 11-foot boat,” Rosansky said.

Boats of all sizes, from yachts to tiny dinghies, made their way through the parade route. A lone stand-up paddle boarder even weaved in between the sea vessels at one point during the parade.

Norm Witt, a longtime Newport Beach resident, said that while the artistry that go into the parade every year is amazing, one of his favorite boats, the Argus, is no longer in the parade. The sailing vessel from the 1800s was manned by the Boy Scouts until a few years back when it got dry rot.

“It was so historic and they always had the Boy Scouts aboard,” Witt said.

He said that the Boy Scouts are trying to raise money to restore the Argus so it can return to the parade.

In the remaining days of the parade this week, judges will decide which boats get to take home a trophy and bragging rights for the various categories. The awards dinner for the parade will be held in January at the Island Hotel and will include a silent auction.

The parade will run through Sunday, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. each night. Viewing from the shore is free, but tickets to ride on a boat during the parade are $31 for children ages 3 to 12, and $36 for adults. Visit newportbeachboatparade.com for more information.

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